Teacher(s) Name: Mrs. Waite and Mrs. Graham
School: Glen Allen ES
Grade Level(s): Grade 3
Content Area(s): Social Studies
Lesson Summary
Third grade students extended both their prior and new knowledge about influential, famous Americans by choosing the person they would most want to learn more about. Based on these choices, students teamed up to work on a Google Doc template containing research from a variety of print and digital sources. A template was provided detailing the expectations of background information, accomplishments, and additional researched information that we had not previously known. Students chose a font color in which to type within the collaborative document. They were taught to “comment” on the side about suggestions. The teacher spent time showing study products of research and what constitutes quality work and what areas need growth. Ultimately, the students’ work was culminated in a Google Slide presentation, Green Screen, or Google Sites with the help of our ITRT, Mr. C. After choosing the final product format, groups completed their project and then published it on a global blog for student, parent, and world reflection or feedback. Students reviewed the lesson, research, and feedback and then complete a Google Form based on their feelings/reaction/productivity from this project.
TIPC Ratings
Research & Information Fluency
Rating:Approaching – Explanation: Students used a variety of online resources for research including Kids Infobits, Pebblego, Getepic, Britannica Online, and BrainPop. Students had previously used these resources and were comfortable using them effectively. In addition, students had access to a variety of books and articles about their Famous American. Students were instructed to evaluate resources based on relevance, reliability, and their ability to comprehend the information.
Communication & Collaboration
Rating: Ideal – Explanation: Students first activated prior knowledge by discussing and recording the basic information they already knew collectively about their famous american. Then, students delved into resources both through text and online(using clever) to expand their knowledge on the famous american. Students were tasked with figuring out roles for each student to ensure facts were reliable and relevant. Students utilized google docs to collaborate efficiently. They were able to edit each other’s work and split up tasks evenly. Finally, students were given an opportunity to reflect on their group’s effectiveness and make goals for the next group project opportunity.
Critical Thinking & Problem Solving
Rating: Ideal – Explanation: In this lesson series, students were able to generate and respond to purposeful questions and justified why they chose to incorporate the information they did. They used a variety of digital tools to provoke higher level thinking and were critical thinkers as they prioritized what information to include and what information to exclude in their presentations.
Creativity & Innovation
Rating: Ideal – Explanation: In this project, students were challenged to go beyond the basic knowledge of their chosen famous american and synthesize their existing knowledge and the additional knowledge found through meaningful and diverse research. Students were also presented several new technology tools as means of presenting their findings. Both the Green Screen App and Google Sites were new to students, requiring them to take a risk in utilizing the tool. Many students, without teacher prompting, included links in their presentations to videos, maps, and other relevant digital sources to enhance their final project. Finally, students were given multiple opportunities to reflect on their work and the work of others throughout and after the projects were completed and submitted.
Student Artifact
Lesson Materials
